Patchworkpony
Well-Known Member
I am considering taking on a retired greyhound. I would love to know the pros and cons of this undertaking as I really want to be sure I would be making the right decision.
Pros and cons of renominates a greyhound
- Thread starter Patchworkpony
- Start date
Patchworkpony
Well-Known Member
Should say rehoming a greyhound the compute changed it!
nagblagger
Well-Known Member
Do not even think about it if you have any cats around, or any other small animals, they will chase. Keep on lead when out as they will chase anything, did i say they will chase?
However,they can be very loving, loyal, lazy sofa surfing cool dudes.
However,they can be very loving, loyal, lazy sofa surfing cool dudes.
SaddlePsych'D
Well-Known Member
Our first dog is a Greyhound, she has made our first dog ownership experience probably about as easy as it could be! Of course they are all different. Some Greyhounds have never been in a house before, will not have been in busy urban areas, and not have seen non-Greyhound dogs breeds. Ours adapted to home life quite quickly, though is very timid so it has taken a lot of time and patience to be able to get her out and about. She's getting better and better all the time though, and she is a loving and funny girl!
The pros/cons are really going to depend on what you're looking for in a dog I would have thought. Greyhounds have reputation for their laid back/laziness but for some people that's the opposite of that they want in a dog! Are you able to say more about your lifestyle/hopes for a dog? The Greyhound rescue charity pages can be very useful for your research too.
The pros/cons are really going to depend on what you're looking for in a dog I would have thought. Greyhounds have reputation for their laid back/laziness but for some people that's the opposite of that they want in a dog! Are you able to say more about your lifestyle/hopes for a dog? The Greyhound rescue charity pages can be very useful for your research too.
Dexter
Well-Known Member
There are greyhounds that happily live with cats. The rehomers will know which are suitable. And some have almost no prey drive. Again the rehomers will know if that's something that's important to you.
rabatsa
Confuddled
I have had three ex racing greyhounds. One seriously prey driven for anything, one that would chase things with feathers but not fur and one that ignored everything.
All three were easy dogs in that house training took two days. The last one, which would chase birds, was claustrophobic and that is what caused the most problems.
Non pulled on leads from day one, food was not a motivation for training. All counter surfed at the beginning but learned not to, except the last one would still steal butter at every opportunity.
We will be getting another one shortly, once the lambs are away from the house and temptation from day one removed.
Pro
They are usually good with both dogs and people, they are well handled for vet and race staff.
Older so have bladder control = easy to housetrain.
They sleep a lot and are relaxing dogs but will do whatever exercise and walks you want to do.
Con
They may have to learn that other breeds of dogs exist. I took mine to a few training classes just to meet other breeds.
May be institutionalised and have to learn to be dogs and play with you.
They often have to learn about houses, steps, tv, vacuum cleaners ect.
All three were easy dogs in that house training took two days. The last one, which would chase birds, was claustrophobic and that is what caused the most problems.
Non pulled on leads from day one, food was not a motivation for training. All counter surfed at the beginning but learned not to, except the last one would still steal butter at every opportunity.
We will be getting another one shortly, once the lambs are away from the house and temptation from day one removed.
Pro
They are usually good with both dogs and people, they are well handled for vet and race staff.
Older so have bladder control = easy to housetrain.
They sleep a lot and are relaxing dogs but will do whatever exercise and walks you want to do.
Con
They may have to learn that other breeds of dogs exist. I took mine to a few training classes just to meet other breeds.
May be institutionalised and have to learn to be dogs and play with you.
They often have to learn about houses, steps, tv, vacuum cleaners ect.
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some show
Well-Known Member
Pros (of mine):
He's very gentle with people/kids, no problem with me doing his nails/teeth/checking him over, walks like a feather on the lead (until cat), loves new experiences, will get on a bus/train, loves clicker training for treats, has a great off-switch, would walk for miles when he was younger, oh and he's beautiful! People always stop me to talk to him.
Cons (of mine): Very high prey drive, will lunge at cats so wears a muzzle out and about, can't get over stiles, is 39kg so I can't lift him off the ground!
Like Dexter said, they're dogs so they're all different. The girls tend to be a lot smaller than the boys, some are ex-hare coursers like mine, some are failed racers - you need to be very honest with the rescue about what you want, it might mean you just have to wait a bit longer for the right one. I hope you go for it, I haven't regretted it and he's my first ever dog!
He's very gentle with people/kids, no problem with me doing his nails/teeth/checking him over, walks like a feather on the lead (until cat), loves new experiences, will get on a bus/train, loves clicker training for treats, has a great off-switch, would walk for miles when he was younger, oh and he's beautiful! People always stop me to talk to him.
Cons (of mine): Very high prey drive, will lunge at cats so wears a muzzle out and about, can't get over stiles, is 39kg so I can't lift him off the ground!
Like Dexter said, they're dogs so they're all different. The girls tend to be a lot smaller than the boys, some are ex-hare coursers like mine, some are failed racers - you need to be very honest with the rescue about what you want, it might mean you just have to wait a bit longer for the right one. I hope you go for it, I haven't regretted it and he's my first ever dog!
some show
Well-Known Member
tda
Well-Known Member
A friend of mine is involved in rehoming greyhounds and she works incredibly hard checking that the home is suitable, like others have said, not all of them have the chase instinct and most like a easy sofa surfing home
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On the Hoof
Well-Known Member
I have had three greyhounds and they were all very easy to do. One did chase birds and squirrels but the other two just plodded along. They take up a lot of room on the sofa and the bed! They dont need much walking either, usually very soft and gentle dogs. None of ours had been in a house or urban environment but adapted really quickly.
Jenko109
Well-Known Member
Oh they are wonderful. I intend on getting one when I'm a bit older and need something more docile.
MuddyMonster
Well-Known Member
Parents have had five.
It's hard to generalise as two wouldn't have chased anything but one was a v.good racing dog and would look twice at people wearing a fluffy headband
Some have been lazier than others, some more loving than others, some needed more walking thsn others, some have been more nervous than others, some hogged the whole sofa and some only slept on their dog bed.
Definitely speak to your local re-homing centre as they are a lovely breed
It's hard to generalise as two wouldn't have chased anything but one was a v.good racing dog and would look twice at people wearing a fluffy headband
Some have been lazier than others, some more loving than others, some needed more walking thsn others, some have been more nervous than others, some hogged the whole sofa and some only slept on their dog bed.
Definitely speak to your local re-homing centre as they are a lovely breed
Patchworkpony
Well-Known Member
Thank you for all your wonderful replies. Very helpful - I am certainly tempted just a bit worried about their size. Will they jump over a four foot fence?
some show
Well-Known Member
Mine won't even jump over a puddle! I had to make him a step to get into the boot of the car, as well. I expect there are some exceptions, though.
I was worried the rescue (FHT) wouldn't accept me because one of my fences is only about 4 1/2 foot but the home-checker was happy with it. She was very open-minded in general which was great.
Patchworkpony
Well-Known Member
Thank you very reassuring.
rabatsa
Confuddled
None of my three have ever looked like jumping anything. One did run straight into a 7 bar gate on spotting a pheasant at the other side
.
SaddlePsych'D
Well-Known Member
Some rescues will mind more than others on fence height.
Ivy went for a 6ft fence in pursuit of a cat once. I intervened so can't be completely sure but I don't think she would have cleared it. I would always supervise in the garden anyway.
Ivy went for a 6ft fence in pursuit of a cat once. I intervened so can't be completely sure but I don't think she would have cleared it. I would always supervise in the garden anyway.
some show
Well-Known Member
If you get one with prey drive then it's true that the 'red rage' that comes over them trumps all previously scary/dangerous things and they will run into gates/brambles/barbed wire like absolute idiots.
I don't leave mine unsupervised out in the garden either as I'm surrounded by neighbours with cats. Mostly they learn not to come in but I've had a few close calls.
I don't leave mine unsupervised out in the garden either as I'm surrounded by neighbours with cats. Mostly they learn not to come in but I've had a few close calls.
MuddyMonster
Well-Known Member
One of my parent's couldn't even clear the small wall they have around their patio area. Fell straight into the pond behind it
They greyhound proofed the pond after that but no one (including the re-home check) had thought any dog would be that stupid and un-athletic. How wrong we were were, bless his soul.
Magnetic Sparrow
Well-Known Member
My adorable greyhound is asleep on my lap. I also have a saluki-ish sighthound so thought I understood prey drive when I got her. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Successful ex-racer: chase first, ask questions later. That means I have to be extremely careful where I let her off the lead, but I don't have cats or other indoor small furries, so for me that's been the only downside. Helping her discover that not all dogs are hound-shaped, the joy of sofas etc has been a pleasure. She and the semi-saluki spend most of their time in standby mode, rousing for walks, meals, and to amble from one comfortable spot to another. If you want a laid-back, undemanding dog greyhounds are ideal.
some show
Well-Known Member
Would love to see some more pics of people's greyhounds on this thread!
SaddlePsych'D
Well-Known Member
Jenko109
Well-Known Member
some show
Well-Known Member
Don't mind if I do!
Ivy looking gorgeous in ears-down and ears-up mode!
SaddlePsych'D
Well-Known Member
Patchworkpony
Well-Known Member
Gorgeous pictures.
some show
Well-Known Member
As another 'pro', just after reading the other thread about rolling in poo of various varieties, my greyhound has never done this (smug face) 
leflynn
Well-Known Member
Do it! Having rehomed many as a volunteer and being owned by the 2nd one currently they are wonderful. Just make sure you go to somewhere with good support if you're new to them, not all retirement/rehomers/rescuers are the same having had to step in for those not rehomed by us before.
Be honest about the character you want and what you are prepared to take on - some are much easier to settle into a home than others. They should do a home check and should check for things like glass doors, escapre routes out of gardens some can be funny about slippy floors and some will like long walks others not so much.
They are a brilliant breed, generally very clean in kennels and then their home, good to walk on leads and amenable loving goofy furry lumps of love that are happy to do anything.
They will make you laugh and just give them time to adjust to a new way of life.
My current girlie is a riot, loves her walks - the longer the better and will go out in any weather, hates wearing a coat, still a semi pro chaser of squirrels, cats, rabbits (always on a lead as she goes deaf too lol), she is clever enough to know how to open cupboards and can pull the bin out if something smells good (a chair lives in front of it) She is also the most loving adorable little lady who got stuck in kennels for too long, top ball catcher, loves zoomies and playing with the agility jumps in the garden and she LOVES people and children and is so good with them, she's also great at giving reassurance to dogs that don't like big dogs
Be honest about the character you want and what you are prepared to take on - some are much easier to settle into a home than others. They should do a home check and should check for things like glass doors, escapre routes out of gardens some can be funny about slippy floors and some will like long walks others not so much.
They are a brilliant breed, generally very clean in kennels and then their home, good to walk on leads and amenable loving goofy furry lumps of love that are happy to do anything.
They will make you laugh and just give them time to adjust to a new way of life.
My current girlie is a riot, loves her walks - the longer the better and will go out in any weather, hates wearing a coat, still a semi pro chaser of squirrels, cats, rabbits (always on a lead as she goes deaf too lol), she is clever enough to know how to open cupboards and can pull the bin out if something smells good (a chair lives in front of it) She is also the most loving adorable little lady who got stuck in kennels for too long, top ball catcher, loves zoomies and playing with the agility jumps in the garden and she LOVES people and children and is so good with them, she's also great at giving reassurance to dogs that don't like big dogs
TwyfordM
Well-Known Member
No cons but be aware some are a bit weird like my Lucy… hyper and jumps everything
forever broke
Well-Known Member
I'm on my second retired racer - she's pretty much the perfect dog. I only let her off lead on the beach, as she'd be gone in a flash if a cat/rabbit/hare/squirrel jumped out but she ignores other dogs so the beach is safe. I always run her in a muzzle though just to be safe, and also to stop her stealing (and eating) other people's tennis balls 
she's an angel in the house apart from eating slippers and socks if she can get her teeth on them. She was easy to house train and walks beautifully on lead. The last one was a different kettle of fish though! He had a higher prey drive so could never have let him off lead and he thought small dogs counted as chase worthy too. He was lazy in the house but definitely needed more exercise than my current one. Neither made any effort to jump our 5ft garden fence. And of course, they are the most beautiful dogs....
(I want to post pictures but it's saying my files are too large )
she's an angel in the house apart from eating slippers and socks if she can get her teeth on them. She was easy to house train and walks beautifully on lead. The last one was a different kettle of fish though! He had a higher prey drive so could never have let him off lead and he thought small dogs counted as chase worthy too. He was lazy in the house but definitely needed more exercise than my current one. Neither made any effort to jump our 5ft garden fence. And of course, they are the most beautiful dogs....(I want to post pictures but it's saying my files are too large
)